-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The first person ever convicted in Idaho of knowingly spreading the HIV virus is facing new charges for the same offense , authorities said Thursday .

An Ada County , Idaho , grand jury on Tuesday returned an indictment charging Kerry Thomas , 45 , with seven counts of knowingly transferring the HIV virus , Jean Fisher , Ada County deputy prosecutor , told CNN .

In 1990 , Thomas was charged with four counts of HIV transmission and two counts of statutory rape , Fisher said . As part of a plea agreement , he pleaded guilty only to the rape charges .

According to Fisher , Thomas received a 12-year sentence and had to serve three years before being eligible for parole . He was later granted early release .

In 1996 , however , Thomas was again charged with one count of HIV transmission , and a jury convicted him , Fisher said . He received a 15-year sentence with a seven-year minimum .

Now out on parole , Thomas faces possible life in prison on the new charges because prosecutors are seeking his designation as a `` persistent violator . ''

It was not immediately known whether Thomas was in custody Thursday . He was not listed online among the inmates in the Ada County Jail .

Asked why Thomas would continue to spread the virus , which causes AIDS , Fisher said , `` That 's the $ 64,000 question , for a person who has been to prison twice . ''

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Kerry Thomas was indicted for second time for knowingly transferring HIV virus

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In 1990 , Thomas was charged with four counts of HIV transmission

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If convicted , Thomas could face life in prison